THE CHAPTER ON PURIFICATION · 131 – BATHING A NEWLY CONVERTED MUSLIM
355 – Kays ibn Asim (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I came to the Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) wishing to become Muslim. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) commanded me to perform ablution with water mixed with sidr, and said [250].
EXPLANATION
It is recommended for a disbeliever to bathe when becoming Muslim. According to Shafi’i jurists, it is good for a disbeliever to bathe when he becomes Muslim. If he is not in a state of ritual impurity (janaba), he may perform ablution and pray. According to Ahmad ibn Hanbal, it is obligatory for a disbeliever to perform ghusl upon becoming Muslim. The proof for this is this honorable hadith. Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) also holds the opinion that a disbeliever should perform ghusl when he becomes Muslim. (Maalim-us-sunnah vol. 1, p. 219)
According to Hanafi jurists, it is not obligatory for a disbeliever who is not in a state of ritual impurity to bathe upon becoming Muslim. If he bathes, that is good.
Usayyim ibn Kulayb narrates from his father, who narrates from his grandfather. Kulayb al-Juhani came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “I have become Muslim.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then commanded him, "Shed your hairs of disbelief and get shaved." One of the narrators explained that the Messenger of God (ﷺ) said, "Get shaved." Another narrator informed me that the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered another person who came to him in Islam, “Shave off the hairs of disbelief and have a circumcision.”
COMMENTARY
When pagans become Muslim, they cut their hair, which is a sign of disbelief, and get shaved like Muslims. There is no fixed hairstyle for pagans; each nation lets its hair grow according to its environment. Circumcision is a distinguishing mark of Islam. If a pagan becomes Muslim without circumcision, he should be circumcised immediately.